News briefs from Northland: $13k raised for Cancer Society and Suffrage Celebration

Sonya Hiki and regular helper Pam Ivory were collecting at the Daffodil Day races at the Whangārei Racing Club's Ruakākā track on Saturday, helping raise more than $13,000 for the Cancer Society. Photo / John Stone

Cancer fundraiser

It was meant to raise some much-needed money for cancer aid and boy did it deliver. Saturday's Daffodil Day races at the Whangārei Racing Club's Ruakākā track raised more than $13,000 for the Northland Cancer Society. There was a full field for the first Daffodil Raceday, which was part of the many events and collections across Northland last week.
Northlanders raised a record amount on Daffodil Day 2017 with a total of $126,000 and it's hoped even more will be raised this year.

Suffrage celebration

A group of Whangārei women has organised a celebration of the 125th anniversary of New Zealand women being allowed to vote. All interested women are invited to the Suffrage Celebration afternoon tea at A'Fare in Lower Dent St, at 2.30pm on Wednesday, September 19. Special guest speakers are Dr Carol Peters, who heads the 155 Community House and initiated the Northland community television Channel 4, and Lynette Stewart, now chief executive at Ki A Ora Ngatiwai and formerly the Northland District Health Board chairwoman. Suffrage group spokeswoman Jenny Kirk said the group is delighted to have such dynamic women willing to give their time. Women wanting to attend the Suffrage Celebration are asked to RSVP to jennykirk273@gmail.com or ph 4337267. The cost is $25, payable at the door (cash or cheque).

Tyre-slashing accused in custody

Two men charged with slashing the tyres of vehicles parked on Whangārei streets have been further remanded in custody until late next month. Derek James Lynn, 27, of Otangarei, and Wesley Ian Thomas Hodgkinson, 28, of Kensington, have pleaded not guilty in the Whangārei District Court to a raft of charges. In total, Lynn is facing 19 charges of arson, one of attempted arson, two of intentional damage, four of driving while disqualified, two of driving while his licence was suspended, two of assault, two of possession of an offensive weapon, and single charges of breach of a protection order, resisting police and injuring with intent to injure. Hodgkinson is jointly charged with 15 counts of arson and two of intentional damage. Both will reappear on October 24.

Hunt for fly-tippers

Nobody has yet been prosecuted over an illegal fly-tip in a Northland tomo that cost $30,000 to remove. Investigations are continuing to catch more people responsible for throwing an estimated 60 tonnes of household rubbish on Spur Rd, south of Te Kopuru.
The Kaipara District Council spent $30,000 removing the rubbish and has identified nine people allegedly responsible for it. None has been issued with an infringement notice so far. Council spokesman Benjamin Hope said all the rubbish was cleared the week before last.